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the nature of the impulse that hitherto had guided him； and
questioned whether he had acted in consequence of insane
perceptions。
To these interrogatories the voice； which now seemed to hover at
his shoulder； loudly answered in the affirmative。 Then
uninterrupted silence ensued。
Fallen from his lofty and heroic station； now finally restored to
the perception of truth； weighed to earth by the recollection of
his own deeds； consoled no longer by a consciousness of rectitude
for the loss of offspring and wife；a loss for which he was
indebted to his own misguided hand；Wieland was transformed at
once into the MAN OF SORROWS！
He reflected not that credit should be as reasonably denied to the
last as to any former intimation； that one might as justly be
ascribed to erring or diseased senses as the other。 He saw not
that this discovery in no degree affected the integrity of his
conduct； that his motives had lost none of their claims to the
homage of mankind； that the preference of supreme good； and the
boundless energy of duty； were undiminished in his bosom。
It is not for me to pursue him through the ghastly changes of his
countenance。 Words he had none。 Now he sat upon the floor；
motionless in all his limbs； with his eyes glazed and fixed； a
monument of woe。
Anon a spirit of tempestuous but undesigning activity seized him。
He rose from his place and strode across the floor； tottering and
at random。 His eyes were without moisture； and gleamed with the
fire that consumed his vitals。 The muscles of his face were
agitated by convulsions。 His lips moved； but no sound escaped him。
That nature should long sustain this conflict was not to be
believed。 My state was little different from that of my brother。
I entered； as it were； into his thoughts。 My heart was visited and
rent by his pangs。 〃Oh that thy frenzy had never been cured！ that
thy madness； with its blissful visions； would return！ or； if that
must not be； that thy scene would hasten to a close！that death
would cover thee with his oblivion！
〃What can I wish for thee？ Thou who hast vied with the great
Preacher of thy faith in sanctity of motives； and in elevation
above sensual and selfish！ Thou whom thy fate has changed into
parricide and savage！ Can I wish for the continuance of thy being？
No。〃
For a time his movements seemed destitute of purpose。 If he
walked； if he turned； if his fingers were entwined with each other；
if his hands were pressed against opposite sides of his head with a
force sufficient to crush it into pieces； it was to tear his mind
from self…contemplation； to waste his thoughts on external objects。
Speedily this train was broken。 A beam appeared to be darted into
his mind which gave a purpose to his efforts。 An avenue to escape
presented itself； and now he eagerly gazed about him。 When my
thoughts became engaged by his demeanor； my fingers were stretched
as by a mechanical force； and the knife； no longer heeded or of
use； escaped from my grasp and fell unperceived on the floor。 His
eye now lighted upon it； he seized it with the quickness of
thought。
I shrieked aloud； but it was too late。 He plunged it to the hilt
in his neck； and his life instantly escaped with the stream that
gushed from the wound。 He was stretched at my feet； and my hands
were sprinkled with his blood as he fell。
Such was thy last deed； my brother！ For a spectacle like this was
it my fate to be reserved！ Thy eyes were closedthy face ghastly
with deaththy arms； and the spot where thou lyedst； floated in
thy life's blood！ These images have not for a moment forsaken me。
Till I am breathless and cold； they must continue to hover in my
sight。
Carwin； as I said； had left the room； but he still lingered in the
house。 My voice summoned him to my aid； but I scarcely noticed his
reentrance； and now faintly recollect his terrified looks； his
broken exclamations； his vehement avowals of innocence； the
effusions of his pity for me； and his offers of assistance。
I did not listenI answered him notI ceased to upbraid or
accuse。 His guilt was a point to which I was indifferent。 Ruffian
or devil； black as hell or bright as angels； thenceforth he was
nothing to me。 I was incapable of sparing a look or a thought from
the ruin that was spread at my feet。
When he left me； I was scarcely conscious of any variation in the
scene。 He informed the inhabitants of the hut of what had passed；
and they flew to the spot。 Careless of his own safety； he hasted
to the city to inform my friends of my condition。
My uncle speedily arrived at the house。 The body of Wieland was
removed from my presence； and they supposed that I would follow it；
but no； my home is ascertained； here I have taken up my rest； and
never will I go hence； till； like Wieland； I am borne to my grave。
Importunity was tried in vain。 They threatened to remove me by
violence；nay； violence was used； but my soul prizes too dearly
this little roof to endure to be bereaved of it。 Force should not
prevail when the hoary locks and supplicating tears of my uncle
were ineffectual。 My repugnance to move gave birth to
ferociousness and frenzy when force was employed； and they were
obliged to consent to my return。
They besought methey remonstratedthey appealed to every duty
that connected me with Him that made me and with my fellow…menin
vain。 While I live I will not go hence。 Have I not fulfilled my
destiny？
Why will ye torment me with your reasonings and reproofs？ Can ye
restore to me the hope of my better days？ Can ye give me back
Catharine and her babes？ Can ye recall to life him who died at my
feet？
I will eatI will drinkI will lie down and rise upat your
bidding； all I ask is the choice of my abode。 What is there
unreasonable in this demand？ Shortly will I be at peace。 This is
the spot which I have chosen in which to breathe my last sigh。
Deny me not； I beseech you； so slight a boon。
Talk not to me； O my reverend friend！ of Carwin。 He has told thee
his tale； and thou exculpatest him from all direct concern in the
fate of Wieland。 This scene of havoc was produced by an illusion
of the senses。 Be it so； I care not from what source these
disasters have flowed； it suffices that they have swallowed up our
hopes and our existence。
What his agency began； his agency conducted to a close。 He
intended； by the final effort of his power； to rescue me and to
banish his illusions from my brother。 Such is his tale； concerning
the truth of which I care not。 Henceforth I foster but one wish： I
ask only quick deliverance from life and all the ills that attend
it。
Go； wretch！ torment me not with thy presence and thy prayers。
Forgive thee？ Will that avail thee when thy fateful hour shall
arrive？ Be thou acquitted at thy own tribunal； and thou needest
not fear the verdict of others。 If thy guilt be capable of blacker